U.S. patent number 7,905,899 [Application Number 11/589,873] was granted by the patent office on 2011-03-15 for nose protect.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Eight Six Japan Limited Company. Invention is credited to Masahiro Funabashi.
United States Patent |
7,905,899 |
Funabashi |
March 15, 2011 |
Nose protect
Abstract
A nose protect, which is mounted in each of nostrils to thereby
reshape the nose, includes a first nostril abutting portion having
a first curved surface, coming in surface contact with the inside
region of a nasal tip in a preset range; a second nostril abutting
portion having a second curved surface, coming in surface contact
with the inside region of an ala nasi opposite to the inside region
of the nasal tip in a preset range; and a pair of nostril abutting
portion connections configured into a thin plate shape that
facilitates elastic deformation, coupling the first nostril
abutting portion to the second nostril abutting portion, integrally
molded out of synthetic resin in which tourmaline powder is mixed
with silicon resin.
Inventors: |
Funabashi; Masahiro (Koganei,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Eight Six Japan Limited Company
(Tokyo, JP)
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Family
ID: |
37472560 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/589,873 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20070106321 A1 |
May 10, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/199;
606/196 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
5/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
29/00 (20060101); A61F 5/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;128/858,857
;606/196,199,204.45 ;623/10 ;602/902 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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3-19856 |
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Apr 1991 |
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JP |
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7-33775 |
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Aug 1995 |
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JP |
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10-127776 |
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May 1998 |
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JP |
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2000-135234 |
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May 2000 |
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JP |
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2001-037796 |
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Feb 2001 |
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JP |
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2002-519140 |
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Jul 2002 |
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JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Manahan; Todd E
Assistant Examiner: Cronin; Ashley
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman,
LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A nose protect which is mounted in each of nostrils to thereby
reshape a nose, the nose protect comprising: a first nostril
abutting portion having a first curved surface that is convex
outwardly from a near end to a far end thereof, to come in surface
contact with an inside region of a nasal tip in a preset range, the
near end of the first curved surface being designed to be
positioned nearer to an entrance of the nostril and the far end of
the first curved surface being designed to be inserted farther from
the entrance of the nostril; a second nostril abutting portion
having a second curved surface that is convex outwardly from a near
end to a far end thereof, to come in surface contact with an inside
region of an ala nasi opposite to the inside region of the nasal
tip in a present range, the near end of the second curved surface
being designed to be positioned nearer to an entrance of the
nostril and the far end of the second curved surface being designed
to be inserted farther from the entrance of the nostril; and a pair
of nostril abutting portion connections formed as two thin plates,
respectively, with a thickness substantially smaller than each
thickness of the first nostril abutting portion and the second
nostril abutting portion, for facilitating elastic deformation,
wherein the near end of the first curved surface of the first
nostril abutting portion is provided with a knob portion that is
convex along its outer surface, wherein the pair of abutting
portion connections couple the first nostril abutting portion to
the second nostril abutting portion such that a plate surface of
one of the nostril abutting portion connections continuously
extends from one side face of the first nostril abutting portion to
one side face of the second nostril abutting portion and a plate
surface of another of the nostril abutting portion connections
continuously extends from an opposite side face of the first
nostril abutting portion to an opposite side face of the second
nostril abutting portion, wherein a side edge of each of the
nostril abutting portion connections between the near end of the
first curved surface and the near end of the second curved surface
forms a flat-bottomed recess contour so that, in a state where the
nose protect is mounted in the nostril with the first curved
surface of the first nostril abutting portion being in surface
contact with the inside region of the nasal tip and the second
curved surface of the second nostril abutting portion being in
surface contact with the inside region of the ala nasi, the nostril
butting portion connections are elastically deformed with ease in
mutually separating directions, to come in contact, in a vestibule
of the nose, with a middle portion between the inside region of the
nasal tip and the inside region of the ala nasi, and wherein the
first nostril abutting portion, the second nostril abutting
portion, and the pair of nostril abutting portion connections are
integrally molded out of synthetic resin.
2. A nose protect according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic resin
includes tourmaline powder mixed with silicon resin.
3. A nose protect according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
first curved surface in the first nostril abutting portion, the
second curved surface in the second nostril abutting portion, and
the pair of nostril abutting portion connections is provided with a
group of fine air holes.
4. A nose protect according to claim 3, wherein the pair of nostril
abutting portion connections are curved in a convex shape so as to
be farthest away from each other at a middle part.
5. A nose protect according to claim 1, wherein the pair of nostril
abutting portion connections are curved in a convex shape so as to
be farthest away from each other at a middle part.
Description
This application is based on Japanese Application No. 2005-130023
filed in Japan on Apr. 27, 2005, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a nose protect for reshaping the nose and
preventing diseases in the nose.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, an interest in cosmetology increases and a person whose
nose is small and low for the size of his face has a considerable
interest in rhinoplasty. A person whose nostrils are small has the
problem that he breathes with difficulty, in addition to
cosmetology. As a conventional technique for making the shape of
the nose look attractive, a surgical rhinoplastic operation that
plastic is embedded in the nose or silicon is injected into the
nose is known. In such a surgical operation, however, the human
body is directly damaged and foreign matter is injected to increase
a mental burden of a feeling of uneasiness in the operation, such
as a failure or a secondary effect. Furthermore, the surgical
operation is costly, many days are required for postoperative care,
and the possibility of postoperative carcinogenesis cannot be
excluded. Thus, the surgical operation fails to provide the
technique that is easily applicable to anyone who desires
rhinoplasty (nose reshaping).
Consequently, to perform rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), techniques
of removably mounting nose-reshaping devices in nostrils without
performing the surgical operation have recently been proposed as
the ones that lessen mental, economical, and physical burdens and
can be used readily and rapidly. Conventional nose-reshaping
devices removably mounted in nostrils so that the nose can be
reshaped without performing the surgical operation are disclosed,
for example, in Japanese Patent Kohyo No. 2002-519140, Japanese
Patent Kokai Nos. 2001-37796 and 2000-135234, Japanese Utility
Model Publication Nos. Hei 07-33775 and Hei 03-19856, and Japanese
Patent Kokai No. Hei 10-127776.
The nose-reshaping device set forth in Kohyo No. 2002-519140 is
designed to have one end portion coming in contact with the inside
of a nasal tip in the vestibule of the nose and the other end
portion coming in contact with the inside of an ala nasi in the
vestibule of the nose, provided to an elastic-deformable, slender
arcuate body, and a top portion coming in contact with a part
different from the other end portion coming in contact with the
inside of the ala nasi in the vestibule of the nose. The
nose-reshaping device set forth in Kokai No. 2001-37796 is designed
to have a circular external end portion coming in contact with the
inside of the nasal tip in the vestibule of the nose and an
internal end portion supporting the inside of the ala nasi in the
vestibule of the nose, provided to an elastic-deformable, slender
rod-shaped body. The nose-reshaping device described in Kokai No.
2000-135234 is designed to have a reshaping cap inserted in the
nostril and abutting on the bridge of the nose, a supporting cap
abutting on the rear wall of the nostril, and a connecting rod that
interconnects the reshaping cap and the supporting cap and that is
capable of expansion and contraction. The nose-reshaping device
described in Publication No. Hei 07-33775 is made with a flexible
material and is constructed so that the entire body is shaped like
a slender strip, both end portions are rounded, and the section has
a flat or wedge shape in which one side is smaller in thickness
than the other. The nose-reshaping device set forth in Publication
No. Hei 03-19856 is constructed with a combination of a U-shaped
base plate having rack-like teeth on the inside surface and a
plate-spring inverted-V-shaped upper plate whose top is round,
having the rack-like teeth on the outside surface so that the
meshing position of the rack-like teeth is adjusted and thereby the
entire height can be controlled. The nose-reshaping device set
forth in Kokai No. Hei 10-127776 is configured like a circular,
elliptical, or polygonal cylinder and is inserted into the nostril
so that the nostril can be enlarged.
However, the nose-reshaping device set forth in each of Kohyo No.
2002-519140, Kokai Nos. 2001-37796 and 2000-135234, and Publication
No. Hei 07-33775 is configured like a nearly slender rod, ranging
from the end portion coming in contact with the inside of the nasal
tip in the vestibule of the nose to the end portion coming in
contact with the inside of the ala nasi, so that the contact area
of the end portion coming in contact with the inside of the nose is
reduced. Consequently, in the case where the nose-reshaping device
is configured using a material that facilitates elastic
deformation, the nose-reshaping device, after being mounted in the
nostril, becomes liable to come off because of a shock from the
exterior or internal moisture. When a material in which elastic
deformation is difficult is used, there is the fear that the inside
part of the nose coming in contact with each end portion is damaged
by the shock from the exterior. In the nose-reshaping device
described in Publication No. Hei 07-33775, it is also proposed that
an elastic protector, such as a sponge, is attached to the end
portion coming in contact with the inside part of the nose to
thereby prevent the damage of the nose. However, the elastic
protector must be provided as an independent member, and thus the
number of parts is increased and the cost is raised accordingly,
with the result that mounting is complicated. The sponge used in
the elastic protector cannot be used over and over again from the
viewpoint of its strength and as a result, the cost is further
raised.
According to the nose-reshaping device described in each of
Publication No. Hei 03-19856 and Kokai No. Hei 10-127776, by
contrast, the entire device is configured into an annular shape
with a preset width, and hence the areas of the end portions coming
in contact with the insides of the nasal tip in the vestibule of
the nose and of the ala nasi can be relatively enlarged. However,
since this nose-reshaping device is configured into the annular
shape with uniform width and thickness as a whole, it is difficult
to mount the device in the nostril by elastic deformation.
Moreover, when the contact area in the nose is enlarged, cutaneous
respiration becomes impossible and comfortableness is impaired. The
device is susceptible to contamination to propagate various germs,
and this tends to breed rhinitis.
Furthermore, any of the conventional nose-reshaping devices set
forth in the above prior art references is configured so that it is
difficult to be removed and instruments, such as tweezers, must be
used in the nostril. This is inconvenient for dismounting the
device. In recent years, persons contracting nasal diseases, such
as rhinitis, nasal allergy, and hay fever, have increased. Such
nasal diseases are liable to be contracted when eyes and a mucosa
in the nasal cavity react oversensitively to pollen, house dust,
and exhaust gases. When the blood flow of the mucosa in the nasal
cavity is insufficient, fine dust and germs that are not completely
removed by vibrissae, in drawn air, cannot be eliminated and
clarified by the mucosa, are carried to the choanae by the
transportation of mucosal glandular hair, and are sent to the
throat and respiratory organs such as the bronchi and lungs. As a
result, there is the fear that respiratory diseases become liable
to be produced. In order to obviate such nasal diseases,
mask-wearing persons have recently been increasing. However,
everyday wear of the mask impairs shapeliness of a personal figure
and is liable to constitute an obstacle to living. In addition, the
conventional nose-reshaping devices set forth in the above
references fail to have functions of warding off nasal
diseases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a nose protect
which can be mounted in a state where it is hard to come off,
without damaging the inner wall of the nose, is mounted so that a
mounted state is not noticed from outward appearance, can be easily
mounted and dismounted without using instruments, can be used over
and over again, is capable of reshaping the nose without performing
the surgical operation, and is capable of preventing nasal
diseases.
In order to achieve the above object, the nose protect according to
the present invention, which is mounted in each of the nostrils to
thereby reshape the nose, comprises a first nostril abutting
portion having a first curved surface, coming in surface contact
with the inside region of a nasal tip in a preset range; a second
nostril abutting portion having a second curved surface, coming in
surface contact with the inside region of an ala nasi opposite to
the inside region of the nasal tip in a preset range; and a pair of
nostril abutting portion connections configured into a thin plate
shape that facilitates elastic deformation, coupling the first
nostril abutting portion to the second nostril abutting portion,
integrally molded out of synthetic resin.
In the nose protect according to the present invention, it is
desirable that the synthetic resin includes tourmaline or germanium
powder mixed with silicon resin.
In the nose protect according to the present invention, it is
desirable that at least one of the first curved surface in the
first nostril abutting portion, the second curved surface in the
second nostril abutting portion, and the pair of nostril abutting
portion connections is provided with a group of fine air holes.
In the nose protect according to the present invention, it is
desirable that the pair of nostril abutting portion connections is
curved in a convex shape so as to be farthest away from each other
at the middle part.
In the nose protect according to the present invention, it is
desirable that one end of the first curved surface in the first
nostril abutting portion is provided with a plate-shaped knob
portion.
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a
nose protect which can be mounted in a state where it is hard to
come off, without damaging the inner wall of the nose, is mounted
so that a mounted state is not noticed from outward appearance, can
be easily mounted and dismounted without using instruments, can be
used over and over again, is capable of reshaping the nose without
performing the surgical operation, and is capable of preventing
nasal diseases.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are a front view, a plan view, a left side
view, and a right side view, respectively, showing the nose protect
of one embodiment in the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the nose protect viewed
diagonally from the upper left side of the nose protect of FIG.
1B;
FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the nose protect in a state
where the nose protect of FIG. 2A is rotated by 180.degree.;
FIG. 2C is a perspective view showing the nose protect viewed
diagonally from the front left side of the nose protect of FIG.
1C;
FIG. 2D is a perspective view showing the nose protect viewed
diagonally from the upper side of the nose protect of FIG. 2B;
and
FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are explanatory views in a state where the
nose protect of the embodiment is mounted in nostrils, showing a
mounted state viewed from the side of the face, a mounted state
where the nasal portion is viewed from the upper side, and a
mounted state where the nasal portion is viewed from the lower
side, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the following, a description will be given of the nose protect
used in one nostril, for convenience of explanation. The nose
protect of the embodiment comprises a first nostril abutting
portion 1, a second nostril butting portion 2, and a pair of
nostril abutting portion connections 3 and 3', integrally molded
out of synthetic resin. The first nostril abutting portion 1 has a
first curved surface 1a curved and configured so as to come in
surface contact with the inside region of the nasal tip in a preset
range. The second nostril abutting portion 2 has a second curved
surface 2a curved and configured so as to come in surface contact
with the inside region of the ala nasi opposite to the inside
region of the nasal tip in a preset range. The pair of nostril
abutting portion connections 3 and 3' is configured into a thin
plate shape that facilitates elastic deformation, coupling the
first nostril abutting portion 1 to the second nostril abutting
portion 2. The pair of nostril abutting portion connections 3 and
3' is also curved in a convex shape so as to be farthest away from
each other at the middle part. The first curved surface 1a, the
second curved surface 2a, and the pair of nostril abutting portion
connections 3 and 3' are provided with a group of fine air holes
1h, 2h, and 3h and 3h'. One end of the first curved surface 1a is
provided with a plate-shaped knob portion 1b.
For the material of the nose protect of the embodiment,
styrene-based silicon resin is used which is suited for standards
relating to medical sanitation and is harmless and safe for the
human body. With this silicon resin, powder particles of tourmaline
are mixed in a preset proportion (for example, 15%).
Reference is made to the case where the nose protect of the
embodiment constructed as mentioned above is mounted in each
nostril. The nose protect of the present invention is mounted in
the nostril to thereby reshape a nasal cartilage portion.
Therefore, the nose protect is configured so that a distance from
the first curved surface 1a to the second curved surface 2a is
longer than that from the inside surface of the nasal tip of the
nostril, in which the nose protect is mounted, to the inside
surface of the vestibule of the nose. The first nostril abutting
portion 1, the second nostril abutting portion 2, and the distance
from the first curved surface 1a to the second curved surface 2a
can be designed according to an individual difference in the shape
and size of the nose whose reshaping is desired and the size of
each nostril in which the nose protect is inserted, before
reshaping. The nose protect of the embodiment is also applicable to
a person who does not require the reshaping of the nose and only
intends to prevent a nasal disease such as nasal allergy. In this
case, it is only necessary to design the strength of the material
and the distance from the first curved surface 1a to the second
curved surface 2a so that surface contact is made to the extent
that the nose is not deformed by the first curved surface 1a of the
first nostril abutting portion 1 and the second curved surface 2a
of the second nostril abutting portion 2.
The nose protect is inserted in the inside of the vestibule of the
nose from each anterior naris in such a way that the first curved
surface 1a faces the nasal tip side and the second curved surface
2a faces the ala nasi side while the knob portion 1b is held with
fingers. In this case, the nostril abutting portion connections 3
and 3' are configured into a thin plate shape that facilitates
elastic deformation, and thus the nose protect is such that the
nostril abutting portion connections 3 and 3' are elastically
deformed with ease. After the nose protect is inserted at a preset
position inside the vestibule of the nose from the anterior naris,
the knob portion 1b is released from finger holding. Whereby,
mounting is completed.
In a mounted state, the first curved surface 1a brings the inside
region of the nasal tip into pressure contact with the surface in a
preset range and at the same time, the second curved surface 2a
brings the inside region of the vestibule of the nose into pressure
contact with the surface in a preset range. Whereby, the nasal
cartilage portion is reshaped into a desired height, and the
balance of the nose against the face is kept fairly aesthetical.
The knob portion 1b is incorporated in an exit-side region inside
the nasal tip. The pair of nostril abutting portion connections 3
and 3' is elastically deformed in a mutually separating direction
and thereby is capable of coming in contact with a region in the
middle between the inside region of the nasal tip in the nostril
and the inside region of the vestibule of the nose.
In the mounted state, as mentioned above, the first curved surface
1a brings the inside region of the nasal tip into pressure contact
with the surface in a preset range and the second curved surface 2a
brings the inside region of the vestibule of the nose into pressure
contact with the surface in a preset range. Specifically, in the
nose protect of the embodiment, the first nostril abutting portion
1 and the second nostril abutting portion 2 are configured so that
the nose protect is supported in a wide range by the elasticity of
cartilage in each nostril. Consequently, even in the cases where
there are vibrations and shocks due to meals and sports, and
moisture due to bathing and nasal mucus, the shift of the nose
protect at the contact surface is not caused and the mounted state
can be maintained without any trouble that the nose protect shifts
or deviates from the mounting position. Even though the first
curved surface 1a or the second curved surface 2a is brought into
pressure contact with the inside region of the nasal tip or the
inside region of the vestibule of the nose by a strong force to
some extent, the curved surface comes in contact over the preset
range, and the strong force is not exerted at one place. Thus, it
is avoidable that the inside of the nose is damaged.
The first curved surface 1a, the second curved surface 2a, and the
pair of nostril abutting portion connections 3 and 3' are provided
with the group of air holes 1h, 2h, and 3h and 3h', and hence even
when the nose protect comes in contact with the inside of each
nostril, the contact region of the inside of the nose is not
hermetically sealed and cutaneous respiration can be practiced.
Consequently, even when the nose protect is mounted for a long
time, it is hard to breed rhinitis, and a clean state where various
germs are hard to propagate can be maintained.
The nose protect of the embodiment is integrally molded out of
resin mixing powder particles of tourmaline in a preset proportion
with silicon resin, as the material. The molding of the nose
protect from silicon resin facilitates the elastic deformation in
mounting and dismounting. Moreover, silicon resin functions as a
low-allergy and unstimulating cushion material. Hence, the nose can
be further protected from the damage to the inside of the nose and
allergy inflammation can be prevented so that the nose protects can
be used from infants who have delicate skin to aged persons,
irrespective of age. In addition, in the nostrils in which moisture
and temperature are properly maintained, tourmaline mixed as powder
particles with silicon resin reacts to stimulation to discharge
minus ions so that far-infrared radiation thus produced acts on a
submucous capillary, the blood flow of the mucosa in the nasal
cavity is facilitated, fine dust and germs can be easily eliminated
through the mucosa, and the symptom of rhinitis is alleviated.
Tourmaline also has an electrical adsorbing function so that, for
example, pollen in air is adsorbed to block penetration into the
interior of the nostrils. Thus, according to the nose protect of
the embodiment, by mounting it, allergic rhinitis, as antigens with
pollen, Mycota, ticks, house dust, dirt, and dust, can be
restrained in addition to reshaping the nose, and further, by the
adsorbing function of tourmaline, the penetration of germs into the
throat, bronchi, and lungs can be blocked to prevent respiratory
diseases. When the blood flow of the mucosa in the nasal cavity is
facilitated by the nose protect of the embodiment, a preset
treatment substance can be easily absorbed from the nasal
cavity.
Also, for the nose protect of the embodiment, it is possible to
apply a material that germanium powder, instead of tourmaline
powder, is mixed with silicon resin. Germanium has the function
that when the temperature of the contact surface is beyond a preset
value, minus ions are discharged and a bioelectric current in the
body is normalized to facilitate the flow of the blood. Hence, even
when the nose protect is configured by mixing the germanium powder
with silicon resin, the flow of the blood of the mucosa in the
nasal cavity is facilitated so that the same effect as in
tourmaline can be brought about. Consequently, the nose protect of
the embodiment can also be applied to disease treatment that it is
effective to absorb the a preset treatment substance from the nasal
cavity.
When the nose protect of the embodiment is dismounted from each
nostril, the knob portion 1b is held with fingers and is pulled.
Whereupon, while the pair of nostril abutting portion connections 3
and 3' is elastically deformed, the nose protect is easily pulled
out from the nostril.
The nose protect of the embodiment, as mentioned above, is
integrally molded by using silicon resin. Hence, deposits, such as
mucus, adhering to silicon resin can be cleanly removed with a
detergent or liquid soap, and the nose protect is dried after
cleaning and thereby can be returned to a state before mounting.
The nose protect of the embodiment, therefore, can be used over and
over again in a sanitary state. In the cleaning of the nose protect
of the embodiment, it is good practice that, for example, a
detergent for vegetables or tableware is mixed by a proper amount
in a 50.about.150-ml-sized jar or PET bottle, half-filled with
water, and then the nose protect is put into the bottle so that
after the bottle is shaken several times, the nose protect is
finally washed with water. Alternatively, the nose protect is
washed with medicated soap by hands, without using the jar or PET
bottle, and thereby dirt particles adhering to fine parts like air
holes can be easily removed.
According to the nose protect of the embodiment, as described
above, the nose protect can be readily mounted in a preset region
of each nostril, and is capable of reshaping the nose while keeping
a stable mounted state without coming off even when there are
vibrations, shocks, and moisture due to meals, bathing, sports, and
nasal mucus. Moreover, there is not any fear of damaging the
nostril. The mounted nose protect is not noticed from outward
appearance. Further, even when the nose protect is mounted for a
long time, it assists cutaneous respiration and can be kept in a
clean state. By mounting the nose protect, allergic rhinitis due to
pollen and respiratory diseases can be restrained and prevented.
Further, the nose protect can also be applied to disease treatment
that it is effective to absorb the a preset treatment substance
from the nasal cavity. Still further, the nose protect can be
readily removed from the nose with fingers without using
instruments. The nose protect can be easily cleaned and thereby can
be used over and over again in a sanitary state.
The nose protect of the present invention is useful in a cosmetic
field in which it is desired to reshape the nose without performing
the surgical operation and a medical field in which it is desired
to provide prescriptions for disease treatment which is effective
for the restraint of allergic rhinitis, the prevention of
respiratory diseases, and the absorption of a preset treatment
substance from the nasal cavity.
* * * * *